Sarasota deputies hope to solve mystery shooting death

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - Deputies said the bullet that killed a Sarasota man came from a block away, but who pulled the trigger is still a mystery.

David Morse was found dead outside his home on May 16. An autopsy confirmed he suffered a gunshot wound. It happened as the 48-year-old walked along 47th street.

"It is strange because whenever he was outside he would wave. He was such a friendly guy," said neighbor David HIll. "I couldn't understand how anyone would have anything against the man."

Two months later, deputies with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office are still trying to find the person behind the gun.

They believe the answer could come from a home a block away on Shade Avenue. That's where deputies said a person was shooting a gun at a wooden fence the day Morse was shot. Several bullets were found in the back yard of the home. One was found in Morse and two more at another home nearly two blocks away.

David Hill said the day before Morse's body was found, he heard gunshots down the street.

"There was a short pause and then there were gunshots again," he said.

Who was pulling the trigger is still unclear.

Detectives said they continue to investigate and hope someone who saw, heard or knows something will come forward.

"Even if it is a small bit of information, it might be helpful towards our investigation," said Kaitlyn Johnston with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives said they don't believe Morse was intentionally shot, but they need answers in order to close the case.

"Any information that they have, whether they think it's important or not, might help us connect the dots and it's very important, and important to the community that we find resolution," said Johnston.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Detective Dave Tuck at 941-861-4939.